Senior Accountant - CSU Pueblo

Colorado State University; Pueblo (CO); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado State University Pueblo is seeking a Senior Accountant to join its financial leadership team. The role focuses on strengthening accounting operations, internal controls, and transparent reporting to support CSU Pueblo's growth and long-term sustainability.

You will collaborate with campus leadership, handle close activities, and guide departments on complex transactions and reporting requirements while advancing best practices across university finance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible professional accounting experience.
• Experience performing complex reconciliations, financial analysis, or financial reporting responsibilities.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities.
• Prepare and review journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, and supporting documentation.
• Analyze and resolve complex accounting issues and account variances.
• Assist in the preparation of audited financial statements, footnotes, schedules, state reporting exhibits, and audit workpapers.
• Support implementation of accounting standards and reporting requirements.

Skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Collaboration

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

KFS (Kuali Financial System)

Banner

Job description

Job Description

Colorado State University System invites applications for a Senior Accountant to join a growing financial leadership team committed to strengthening CSU Pueblo's university's financial stewardship, compliance, and long-term sustainability. The position is a CSU system role that will be assigned to support the CSU Pueblo campus. The Senior Accountant will play a key role in enhancing the CSU Pueblo's financial operations, supporting significant accounting and audit initiatives, strengthening internal controls, and helping build the financial infrastructure necessary to support CSU Pueblo's continued growth and success. The position works closely with the CSU Pueblo Controller, Vice President for Finance and Administration, and CSU System leadership to improve business processes, implement best practices, and ensure accurate and transparent financial reporting. This position offers an exceptional opportunity for an experienced accounting professional to expand their leadership responsibilities, gain broad exposure to higher education finance, and contribute to institution-wide initiatives with visible impact.

Why Join CSU?

• Strengthen accounting operations and financial reporting.
• Support implementation of audit recommendations and compliance initiatives.
• Improve business processes and internal controls.
• Enhance financial transparency and decision support for university leadership.
• Develop scalable and sustainable accounting practices that support the university's long-term success.

The position provides opportunities to work across virtually every area of university finance, including financial reporting, accounts receivable, compliance, audits, training, internal controls, and process improvement.

Essential Job Duties

Financial Close, Reporting, and Analysis

• Coordinate month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities.
• Prepare and review journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, and supporting documentation.
• Analyze and resolve complex accounting issues and account variances.
• Assist in the preparation of audited financial statements, footnotes, schedules, state reporting exhibits, and audit workpapers.
• Support implementation of accounting standards and reporting requirements.

Institutional Accounting Leadership

• Serve as a subject matter expert on accounting policies, financial controls, and compliance requirements.
• Interpret and apply University, State, Federal, and applicable accounting standards.
• Provide guidance to departments on complex financial transactions and reporting requirements.
• Recommend improvements to accounting policies and business processes.

Audit, Compliance, and Internal Controls

• Support external audits and audit-related initiatives.
• Evaluate and strengthen internal controls and financial processes.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement, standardization, and automation.
• Coordinate corrective actions and implementation of financial best practices.

Campus Partnership and Financial Stewardship

• Collaborate with departments across the university to improve financial management and reporting.
• Deliver training and develop guidance materials related to accounting practices and financial systems.
• Assist leadership in evaluating financial risks and identifying solutions to complex operational challenges.

Leadership and Team Development

• Provide supervision, coaching, and mentoring for assigned accounting staff.
• Support workload planning, coverage strategies, and professional development efforts.
• Serve as a trusted resource and leader within the finance organization.

Supervision

• Provide direct supervision and support for assigned accounting personnel (e.g., OFM/Athletics Accountant, General Accountant, A/R team), including performance reviews and coverage planning.

Conditions of Employment

• The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. by the proposed start date.
• Pre-employment Criminal Background Check.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible professional accounting experience.
• Experience performing complex reconciliations, financial analysis, or financial reporting responsibilities.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Higher education accounting
• Governmental accounting
• Not-for-profit accounting
• Public sector finance
• External audit experience
• Financial statement preparation
• GASB reporting
• Federal and state compliance reporting
• Internal controls and audit coordination
• ERP systems such as Kuali Financial System (KFS), Banner, or similar enterprise systems
• Process improvement, automation, business intelligence, or reporting tools.
• Professional certifications such as CPA, CMA, CGFM, or related credentials are highly valued.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is an accounting professional who wants to expand their impact beyond day-to-day close activities. They are motivated by institutional impact, continuous improvement, and helping an organization strengthen its financial foundation. They enjoy solving complex problems, building relationships across an institution, and contributing to initiatives that improve operations, compliance, and financial sustainability.

Salary Range

$80,000 - $110,000

Employee Benefits

• Review our detailed benefits information here.
• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.
• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.
• Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.